LM Radical MP substitute

I'm a 22 year old player. I would say I'm 4.5-5 NTRP. I beat 4.5 players pretty comfortably and put good fights against 5 level players, but I tend to lose close matches.

I've been playing with a LM Radical MP for a long time, but I'm starting to struggle.

Love the control and feel of the Rad, but I'm coming back into competition and I'm a little bit frustrated. I play in Spanish clay and people usually play heavy topspin baseline tennis. I've also noticed that people here don't use what you call 'players' racquets, they stick with the typical PD, Aeropros and all that stuff, even players at 5.5 level

I feel like despite all the effort I put into being agressive, I end losing games and matches by slight margin and keep getting 'outpushed'

I'm looking for a more spin friendly racquet, and maybe more power. Something between 315 and 325-330 gr strung and not above 330-335 SW. Some options I've been looking at

The rackets you chose are the ones I would recommend demoing. The blade 98 and radical mp have similar power and spin IMO, which are fairly close to the power of a APD in my experience. At your level, you really can't go wrong with anything.

Add the Pacific X-Force Pro to the list. Great feel and control yet very spin friendly with the 16x20 pattern. Whatever you do, ignore the pencil-neck geeks that claim this racquet is under-powered until you demo it and find out for yourself.

To be honest, I've been playing with Rads for so long that I don't even remember the feel of an open pattern. I know that when I demoed the PD before my tennis break I didn't like it, but my game was a bit different.

Also, I mention in my first post that I like the feel and control of the LM, but I better make some points there. I like my groundies with it, specially when I can step into the court and flatten it out, but I don't really get the hang of it in volleys and touch shots. It's just the opposite of what I felt when I was playing with the YT Radical

Looking at the specs of the Blade 98, I think it will be pretty similar to the LM Rad. What about the Speed 18x20? Do the 2 additional in. help? How would you compare it to the Rad?

I've read that it is more powerful than the Rad, but TW ways the opposite

Not sure if you have experimented with the weight, but I think if our racket is stock then yes you need to make changes. With the heavy balls you are getting our racket should probably have a higher swing weight the the stock radical. I would add weight, and decide if you like the balance or if I want to made it more evenly balanced vs. head light and gravitate to more weight on the extremes.

If you must get a new racket, try the radical pro and see if the open pattern helps, but even then you will want to add weight IMO

If you are looking for more power and spin rule out 2- (almost the same) 3- (less power and spin) 4- (very similar raquet to a LM RAD MP) 5- You might get a tad more spin. 1- has more power but not much, and more spin.

If you want to feel a real difference you should try a Babolat ADP you will get way more power and spin but control will be an issue for a while. Or maybe the new Blade 98 but 16x19, you still have control and more power and spin than the LM rad MP.

I'm a 22 year old player. I would say I'm 4.5-5 NTRP. I beat 4.5 players pretty comfortably and put good fights against 5 level players, but I tend to lose close matches.

I've been playing with a LM Radical MP for a long time, but I'm starting to struggle.

Love the control and feel of the Rad, but I'm coming back into competition and I'm a little bit frustrated. I play in Spanish clay and people usually play heavy topspin baseline tennis. I've also noticed that people here don't use what you call 'players' racquets, they stick with the typical PD, Aeropros and all that stuff, even players at 5.5 level

I feel like despite all the effort I put into being agressive, I end losing games and matches by slight margin and keep getting 'outpushed'

I'm looking for a more spin friendly racquet, and maybe more power. Something between 315 and 325-330 gr strung and not above 330-335 SW. Some options I've been looking at

I respectfully recommend you get past the "player's frame" misnomer. Nadal, Tsonga and Roddick are all "players" that have previously used and/or currently use Babs that are very close to their retail counterparts.

Frankly, I think you should just get an APD. Get the French Open editions if you feel the need to be different. Last year's model can be spec'd up to being very comfortable, powerful and stable - while not sacrificing any of its other qualities.

As to the other racquets on your list, I have not tried either the Wilson or the Yonex. I had the opportunity to spend some time with a pro stock IG Speed Pro and it was rubbish.

The IG Radical is a very nice racquet. My fiancee recently got a couple, and it's feel/performance to me is reminiscent of the PT57. That being said, it's still going to play more similarly to your LMR than to the APD. It might feel slightly flexier and/or more powerful, but the lineage is clear and you'll still likely have the exact same issues (perhaps more so due to the flex). For my money, though, I'd pick the APD if I was a modern type of player focused on clay.

Not sure if you have experimented with the weight, but I think if our racket is stock then yes you need to make changes. With the heavy balls you are getting our racket should probably have a higher swing weight the the stock radical. I would add weight, and decide if you like the balance or if I want to made it more evenly balanced vs. head light and gravitate to more weight on the extremes.

If you must get a new racket, try the radical pro and see if the open pattern helps, but even then you will want to add weight IMO

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I've already experimented with it, and I seem to like it with some weight at 2 and 10 and counterbalance in handle. The racquets are asking for retirement though, they are pretty worn out.

I respectfully recommend you get past the "player's frame" misnomer. Nadal, Tsonga and Roddick are all "players" that have previously used and/or currently use Babs that are very close to their retail counterparts.

Frankly, I think you should just get an APD. Get the French Open editions if you feel the need to be different. Last year's model can be spec'd up to being very comfortable, powerful and stable - while not sacrificing any of its other qualities.

As to the other racquets on your list, I have not tried either the Wilson or the Yonex. I had the opportunity to spend some time with a pro stock IG Speed Pro and it was rubbish.

The IG Radical is a very nice racquet. My fiancee recently got a couple, and it's feel/performance to me is reminiscent of the PT57. That being said, it's still going to play more similarly to your LMR than to the APD. It might feel slightly flexier and/or more powerful, but the lineage is clear and you'll still likely have the exact same issues (perhaps more so due to the flex). For my money, though, I'd pick the APD if I was a modern type of player focused on clay.

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Maybe you're right, but every time I play with a Babolat I keep getting the feel of playing with a baseball bat. I guess it's something you get used to. Clay tennis nowadays isn't too much about feel and nice points anyways

Maybe you're right, but every time I play with a Babolat I keep getting the feel of playing with a baseball bat. I guess it's something you get used to. Clay tennis nowadays isn't too much about feel and nice points anyways

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I hear what you are saying. My feelings toward the APD have been hot and cold for that very reason; often finding myself preferring some of my older Head frames (particularly the PT280/630). That being said, you CAN alter the feel of the APD to the point where it is almost negligible and therefore vastly less significant compared to the other benefits it offers. Now, once properly weighted and modified (namely in terms of filling the handle), it's the first frame I reach for.

I hear what you are saying. My feelings toward the APD have been hot and cold for that very reason; often finding myself preferring some of my older Head frames (particularly the PT280/630). That being said, you CAN alter the feel of the APD to the point where it is almost negligible and therefore vastly less significant compared to the other benefits it offers. Now, once properly weighted and modified (namely in terms of filling the handle), it's the first frame I reach for.

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I might do this with my pro open... Does it get rid of vibration?

OP, as someone mentioned before, the pacific XForce or XForce pro may be to your liking. The XForce needs some lead though to be stable like a rad

If you like the Head feel then I sure as heck wouldn't try to force yourself to playing any Babolat other than the pure storm.

Dunlop and Donnay may have options for you but the Head IG's do have great feel and that's me coming from a PT57a/PT 630.

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Hey, Maro, not to belabor the obvious but have you tried the IG or Ytk Radical Pros? Would you agree that the the IG Rad Pro's are pretty darn close - particularly for the price - to the PT57As? Also, if you've had the experience, are the Youteks even closer? Greatly appreciate your thoughts on this.

Hey, Maro, not to belabor the obvious but have you tried the IG or Ytk Radical Pros? Would you agree that the the IG Rad Pro's are pretty darn close - particularly for the price - to the PT57As? Also, if you've had the experience, are the Youteks even closer? Greatly appreciate your thoughts on this.

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The youteks had a bit of a shrill feeling, the IG's are more solid skin to the I Prestige, I Radical line.

Any racket.
LM Rads are middle of the road, a little bit of this, a little bit of that rackets.
Any switch would work, what exactly do you want?
Before you say I suck, be aware I still have my two LMRADMids from 5 years ago.

Any racket.
LM Rads are middle of the road, a little bit of this, a little bit of that rackets.
Any switch would work, what exactly do you want?
Before you say I suck, be aware I still have my two LMRADMids from 5 years ago.

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I Say it in the first post I think. I'm looking for a little more power and acces to spin. Something not above the 310-315 Gr unstrung mark.

My club is sponsored by Wilson, I think my first demo will be the Blade. I think Blade + Leather grip would be a good option

Trust me I own new blade 98 and lm radical mp and its nearly the same racquet with more of a muted feel. I also own ig radical pro and it is exactly what you're looking for. If I were you I would definitely go with ig radical pro but definitely demo and see for yourself. IG radical Pro has nearly the power of Pure Drive and aeropro just much more feel. I do struggle with it though because I am long time 18 by 20 fan but that kind of fix itself with thick gauge 16 big banger orig. trouble then becomes I have to restring it often

Trust me I own new blade 98 and lm radical mp and its nearly the same racquet with more of a muted feel. I also own ig radical pro and it is exactly what you're looking for. If I were you I would definitely go with ig radical pro but definitely demo and see for yourself. IG radical Pro has nearly the power of Pure Drive and aeropro just much more feel. I do struggle with it though because I am long time 18 by 20 fan but that kind of fix itself with thick gauge 16 big banger orig. trouble then becomes I have to restring it often

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Hi, Dgoran - just a brief note to say your previous comments on the IG Radical Pro were spot on, and helped lead me to picking up a pair (admittedly for my fiancee, but with my occasional use). Absolutely great racquet, and a bargain compared to the prices people spend on pro stocks. These are just as good if you know how to tune your racquet.

I'm a 22 year old player. I would say I'm 4.5-5 NTRP. I beat 4.5 players pretty comfortably and put good fights against 5 level players, but I tend to lose close matches.

I've been playing with a LM Radical MP for a long time, but I'm starting to struggle.

Love the control and feel of the Rad, but I'm coming back into competition and I'm a little bit frustrated. I play in Spanish clay and people usually play heavy topspin baseline tennis. I've also noticed that people here don't use what you call 'players' racquets, they stick with the typical PD, Aeropros and all that stuff, even players at 5.5 level

I feel like despite all the effort I put into being agressive, I end losing games and matches by slight margin and keep getting 'outpushed'

I'm looking for a more spin friendly racquet, and maybe more power. Something between 315 and 325-330 gr strung and not above 330-335 SW. Some options I've been looking at

The Blade is a winner, and I would also suggest demoing a Pure Storm. I like the Team versionbecause I leaded it up a little and it plays great. Feels like a classic racquet. There is no cortex and it's not stiff.

Here is my experience with the same issue that you have. I have played with the same racquet for about 4 years and after doing everything possible to that racquet ( used enough lead to get toxic on it) never learned to like it.
It was head light, then even, mass heavy, mass lighter and so on...
In mean time I tested all the racquets that wonderful TW provides and admitted to myself that I was a racquet trial addict. Name a brand that makes racquets from 10.8-12.5 oz and I tried them all. I wanted to like PD and APD so much that I tested them 4 times each and still don't have them. I started playing with Wilson BLX 6.1 16x18 about a year ago and I like it quite a bit but the balls on forehand and sometimes volleys just crazy fly on me ( if anyone has string advice, please advise- playing mid tension multi now).
All said and done I tested Pacific xFEEL tour and played with it for a week. A beautiful racquet in my opinion. Great feel, control and power despite a low SW and I will be buying it if I don't figure out what to do with my Wilson racquet.
Good luck to you!!

Not sure if Fed_Ex ever found his racket but wanted to post my thoughts to help any others that may still be searching.

I've felt the exact same thing as Fed_Ex & clunker - been with the lm radical mp for a long time - good solid racket with great control & feel - but underpowered. I've been looking for something that takes me to the next level as I feel my game is solid in most areas but lacking that put-away power. I always felt that it seemed weak on serves. Seems like shots hit near the top of the sweet spot like on serves & overheads felt too jarring on the elbow - like there was a dead spot - sometimes hurt my elbow & made me tentative to take full swings on these shots - sometimes u can feel the racket flex. I've leaded it up so many different ways & still couldn't get it right.

Been on a racket roller coaster for a few yrs looking for the touch & feel of the radical but the solid feel & power that a pure drive has on overheads & serves. I've gone through the aeropro GT, Vcore 100S, 2012 pure drive, & a radical pro & felt like a hopeless racket junkie

I don't know why I never considered the blx blade 98 before but found that they're on sale now & saw that TW had great reviews on it - so I demoed it & ended up picking up the pink one. I just wish I had come across it years ago because I feel it's what I've been missing - great control, good feel, good power, easy to hit topspin or flatten it out. More importantly, it doesn't have that dead spot in the top of the sweet spot - serves & overheads can be crushed without any painful vibration to the elbow on off center hits. This racket is solid all around & has good power without sacrificing control. Only issue is that it's a little stiffer so ppl with elbow problems may have to watch out but it's not a big deal for me